I've been riding off and on for well over twenty years, many of them racing. However I've not had a carbon fiber frame yet on any bike.... I've always been a steel and aluminum guy

I managed to bend my Quattro Assi, so it was time to pick a new bike. I looked a several used framesets and a few closeouts, but none got to the right budget level.... I loved the QA, and it helped me get back to some form of riding shape and nearer to a good riding weight.

So, I found the Vellum and got it today at noon. Bike was rideable by 1:30

Very well done. You did a much faster build up then I could ever do. I probably spend that much time measuring and cutting the cable housings and setting up the cables. Can you say anal. (Me of course)

I am very happy with it overall. The ride is comfortable when seated and it climbs well. However, the bottom bracket does not give when standing and climbing, or sprinting.

Road chatter seems to be 'absorbed' before it gets to the seat, and though I can tell its there, it is significantly more 'muted' than on my previous aluminum ride, or the Reynolds 853 that preceded it.

Handling wise, it tracks well at speed, but can be a little more nervous when going slow. Nothing I can't get used to, just different from my previous bike. The front end is extremely stiff, which adds to the solid feel while cornering.

Most important factor to me? I can't wait to take it out again!!!

On a side note, my trusty DA9 left/front shifter shattered Sunday afternoon while making some fine adjustments on the workstand.... I stole a shifter from my wife's bike to use until I can find a suitable replacement.

When I assembled it initially, I built it with a 27.2 carbon post with a huge Cane Creek shim on it to ride until I found a good post of the right size.

Found a Controltech I-Post on the 'bay for a good price. When it got here, it was 203 grams. Some work with the hacksaw tuned it down to 170 grams. The shim weighed 45 grams, and the 27.2 post was 185, so I got a savings of 60 grams out of the post replacement.

On a side note, my trusty DA9 left/front shifter shattered Sunday afternoon while making some fine adjustments on the workstand.... I stole a shifter from my wife's bike to use until I can find a suitable replacement.

My club does things backwards wrt ride ratings, I guess A riders are people who have a tough time making it over an overpass, and would probably pass out during a spinning class. Don't start seeing 20mph averages until the higher level C's or high end D's on a hilly route.

Just interesting to see that everyone else except my club does it different.

Resurrecting an old thread, but its still the same bike.... However, I've made some updates.

I decided for this year, I wanted to try something new, and to take some more weight off the bike.

To do so, I've changed out the wheels, tires and bars.

-Wheels- Archtek 50mm carbon tubular rims with OffTheFront hubs and Sapim spokes/nipples. Laced them up a couple years ago, but raced 'cross on them instead of riding road. Just set them up with some Tufo's I had hanging in the garage and they seem pretty nice on the road. -Bars- Modolo carbons. I liked the Deda 215's I had on there, but wanted something with a different shape. I like the look of the 3T's out there, but did not like the cost. The Modolos have a great shape and took a good bit off the bike.

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